"Back in 2012, before the announcement of the PS4, [Sony Computer Entertainment] originally approached us with the idea, 'Would you be interested in making a new game for new hardware?' so this was never considered as a Demon's Souls II," Miyazaki explained.

"For us, the idea of new hardware was appealing and I remember feeling enthusiasm from SCE for a new game."

Miyazaki also talked about the decision to set the game in the Victorian-inspired city of Yharnam, explaining that the location allowed for new combat opportunities.

"We were already thinking of a shift to a combat system where you would enter battle more actively than the sword and shield-based combat of Demon's.

"So we adopted the idea of guns, but there was a prerequisite that we didn't want the game to turn into a shooting game, and the Victorian age fit perfectly. It's an era where the imagery of old guns still remains."

Originally known as Project Beast, Bloodborne was officially unveiled by Sony during its E3 press conference.

In development for PlayStation 4, the action role-playing game will make its debut in 2014.